Closure latching assembly



Get. 25, 1949.

G- H- NORQUIST CLOSURE LATCHING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE LATCHING ASSEMBLY I Glenn H. Norquist, Jamestown, N. Y. Application June 23, 1945, Serial No. 601,213

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a closure latching assembly designed and adapted to releasably latch and secure a closure structure to an adjacent fixed structure in a manner to provide a relatively tight seal therebetween.

. In accordance with this invention, a highly,

efficient and economical closure latching assemblyis provided comprising a latching rim secured to the fixed structure adjacent the opening which. receives the closure member, the closure member being provided with one or more latchin devices positioned adjacent the latching rim which may be easily manipulated to and from latched to unlatched position.

1 This improved closure latching assembly may be associated with either hinged or removable closures of various kinds, with the fixed structure adjacent theclosure opening provided with a locking rim designed to cooperate with one or more latching devices fixed to the closure to releasably retain the closure in fixed position. This improved closure latching assembly is particularly adapted for association with containers equipped with a closure cover which must be locked or latched in relatively tight, leak-proof, seating engagement with the container body. By the use of this improved closure latching assembly, the peripheral edge of the closure may be firmly pressed into leak-tight seating engagement with the surrounding closure seat of the container, suflicient pressure being exerted on the closure cover by means of the cooperating cam latches and latching rim to insure the required leak-proof seal.

An object of this invention provides an improved closure latching assembly for releasably securing a movable closure member to a fixed closure seat structure whereby a predetermined seating pressure may be exerted upon the closure member.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved closure latching assembly comprising one or more latching devices each having a latching cam adapted to be rotated into and out of latching engagement with an adjacent latching rim fixed to the closure seating structure.

. A further object of this invention is to provide a container and container closure having a closure latching assembly associated therewith whereby the closure may be secured and locked in substantially leak-tight engagement with the closure seat of the container.

' A further object of this invention it to provide an improved latching device which can be inexpensively formed and assembled from stamped metal parts, which is strong and sturdy in construction, substantially fool-proof in operation, and which is adapted to be secured to a closure member in a manner to prevent unauthorized removal thereof when in latching position.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understoodby referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a container showing a plurality of the improved latching devices associated with the container closure, the latching devices being shown in latching engagement with the latching rim of the container.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the con- ,tainer showing particularly the latching rim associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken vertically through the con-v tainer and showing particularly one of the latching devices associated with the container closure, as the same appears when viewed along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is another fragmentary cross sectional View taken vertically through the container and the container closure, this view illustrating further details of the closure latching devices, this View being taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top elevational view of a corner portion of the container, the container closure and one of the closure latching devices in unlatched position.

Fig. 6 is a top elevational view of the anchor plate which forms one element of the closure latching device. 1

Fig. 7 is a side edge view of the anchor plate as the same appears when looking in the direction of the arrows 1--1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another edge view of the anchor plate as it appears when looking in the direction of the arrows 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the cam latch which forms another part of the closure latching device;

Fig. 10 is a side edge view of a cam latch as the same appears when looking in the direction of the arrows l0|ll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is another edge view of the cam latch as the same appears when looking in the direction of the arrows ll-ll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a still further edge view of the cam latch as the same appears when looking in the direction of the arrows l2|2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the stud pin forming another part of the closure latching device whereby the cam latch shown in Fig. 9 is rotatably secured to theanchor plate shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 1415 an elevational View of the friction Washer which is positioned between the cam. latch and anchor plate.

Fig. 15 is a top elevational view o ffithe"closure latching device assembled from the parts shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 14 inclusive, and showingthe earn" latch rotated to latching positioni- Fig. 16 is an edge view of the closure latching device as the same appears when viewedir'i the direction of the arrows -|6l6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17"is a't'op'plan'view' of the fully'assemb'le'd' latching device showing th'eca'mlatch rotated to unla'tching position;

Fig. 18 is aside 'elevationalview of the latchingdevice as the same appears when viewed in-the direction-of the arrows l8 |8 of'Fig.: 17.

Fig; 19 is'a plan view of a simple form of wrench which may be used to rotate thecam latch when the latching device 'has been applied to the closure; and

Fig. 20 is a. side elevationa1 view of the cam' manipulating wrench shown'inFig. 19.

Similar reference character'srefer'to similarparts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

For purposes of illustration, there i's shown' in Figs. 1 to'5 inclusive the'imp'roved latching assembly associated with a box-orcontainer which may be said to comprise generally a-bottom wall I, enclosing side walls 2, and'a closure c'over 3 The closure cover 3 is'designed to seat upon the upper end of the enclosing'side walls 2=of the container and the closure latching assembly" is" so: con: structed and arranged as to releasablyxlocki the closure cover3 to the enclosing side walls 2 of'the container.

The closure latching assembly comprises generally a" latching-rim I f." formed of metal orother rigid" material which is securedtortheenclosing side walls 2 of the container. Aplurality of: cam latching devices arefixedly secured at selected spaced intervals to the closure cover 3:- and so positioned as: to releasably engage the latching. rim' 1; Each of:- the cam-latchingdevices com prises generally an anchor plate a-having=a cam latch c rotatably securedto the anchor plate. by means of a stud pin-b. The cam latches c are arranged-to be rotated into and out of latching. and locking engagement with the latching, rim f. A friction-washer. d is positioned between'the anchor plate a and the cam latch c-to provide a predetermined frictional resistanceto therotation of the camlatch c. The construction and assembly of the latch deviceis more particularly illustrated in Figs. 6 to18 inclusive.

The anchor plate, asshown more particularly in Figs. 6,7, and-8, comprises arelatively'flat body section II] having a downturned'lip' l I at one edge thereof adapted to grip. the adjacent edge of the cover closure 31 The body section l0 of'the anchor plate is provided-with aasuitable' number of spaced holes l2' through which screws may be inserted to secure the anchor plate. to the cover closure 3'. The bodysection. Ill? dfl'the anchor plate is also provided with acentrally located hole l3 through which the stud pin may be inserted. The anchor plate may also be provided with an upturned lug I4 at one edge thereof to limit the rotating movement of the cam latch, as more particularly described here after. The anchor plate can be inexpensively formed as a metal stamping. i

The cam latch c as shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inelusive, may also be inexpensively made by a metal stampingoperation.v Cami Ia'tchc com prises a relatively flat base'section l5having a. semi-circular peripheral edge approximately 240 in extent, the ends of the semi-circular edge being joinediby a relatively straight edge IT.

A cam flange l6 extends upwardly from the semi- I circulanedge of the base section I5, the upper L edge:ofzthe cam.-flange [6 having a cam surface.

l8 which rises gradually from the low point l3 toa high point 20, spaced approximately 180 to 220 from low point l9. Thus the upper edge of the flange section I6 presents alcam'ltracldl 18 which rises gradually fromthe beginning; point:- I9 to a maximum heightat point 20;.. The-router:

face or the cam fianget IBi'is-a'; true: semicii'cle: which is equidistantly spacedi.from:.pivotwhclez24i at the center of the base-section l 5- through .which the stud pin 1) extends".-

An abutment lug 2 2- extends upwardly-mom:

the semi-circular edge:ofrthmbaseirseetiom I Stand the cam flange: new deflnectherebetweemwhatz might be termed"v a: notch t or recess; ZSLdesignedi i hereinafter described. lt will. =be:- noted thatji-the' bottom surface of'the cam-latch is relativelysflatfi The. stud pin: b shown in; perspective 1 in Figs; 13? includes a stem section 3|): which-is topped,- -l:t1y. a: flared: skirt- 31: The upper end of 1 the studep in;

is provided with. a wrench head 32 providing ar pivot point' for a: cam latch-manipulating wrench: The stem section 3l'hof'the stud pinb:has-suchrc diameter: as -to permit;- the same to) be;- snuglyv tele-q scoped through hole I 3:- in the:anchon plate-mend? hole 21 in the cam latch-c.

The: washer d: shown xin'. Figs 14': is: 'a-flat-.disc

shape'd2member: f'ormed:-from a material-havitrh friction producing surfaces; adapted-1 tovofieri fcice tional resistance to the rotating movement of thelcam latch c' when-1 rotatablyiaatta'chedi by stud l5. The frictionwasherd is telescoped over the projecting end of the stud section 3(9 and the projecting end of the "stud section then t'elscoped through the stud liole' I3 in the anchorreterm;

Finally the projecting =end of the" stud sectidn viifl' is headed-over to provide a -.head pcrt1on -3l to a, endthe friction washer d together-in firm assembly. I

Figs. and 16 show the fully assembled latch device with the cam latch rotated into latchin and locking position. Figs. 17 and 18 show the cam latch as it appears when rotated into unlatched and unlocked position. It will be noted that in the unlocked position, the laterally pro- Jecting lug .24 associated with the cam latch abuts the upwardly projecting lug l4 associated with the anchor plate a so. as to prevent further rotating movement of the cam latch in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 17. In this position it will be noted that the straight edge I! of the cam latch parallels but does not overlapthe lip-portion II associated with the anchor plate a. When the cam latch is in locked, position as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, it will be noted that the semi-circular cam flange I6 thereof overhangs and extends beyond the downturned lip ll of the anchor plate a. By rotating the cam latch shown in Fig. 15 in a counter-clockwise direction for a distance of approximately 180, the straight edge I! of the cam latch will substantially parallel and not overhang the downturned lip II of the anchor plate 0., thereby placing the cam latch in unlocked or unlatched position. The friction washer d interposed between the cam latch c and the anchor plate a provides a certain frictional resistance to the rotation of the cam latch so that it will not ro-' tate until some fairly substantial rotative force is applied thereto. It will also be noted that the screw holes I2 in the anchor plate are so positioned as to normally underlie the semi-circular section of the cam latch but can be exposed when the cam latch is so rotated as to place its straight edge I! adjacent the hole to be exposed.

Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive illustrate the manner in which the latching devices may be associated with a container and its closure cover. Fig. 1 more particularly illustrates a plurality of the latching devices arranged in spaced relationship around the perimeter of the closure cover 3. The anchor plates a are secured to the closure cover 3 by any suitable securing means, such as screws which are inserted through the screw holes' 12 in the anchor plate and threaded into the closure cover '3. The screws 36 may be easily applied before the closure cover 3 is placed in closed position on the container since the latching cam 0 may be readily rotated into various positions to avoid obstruction to the insertion of the screws 36. The downturned lip ll of each anchor plate is so arranged as to overhang the perimetal edge portion 31 of the closure cover 3.

The latching cams c are arranged to cooperate and interlatch with a latching rim 1 secured to the enclosing side walls 2 of the container, which may extend substantially continuously around the upper end of the container. The latching flange f comprises more particularly a wall or face section 40 which may be secured as by screws 4! to the adjacent side wall 2 of the container. The face section 40 may also be provided with an inturned lip 42 at the lower end thereof whereby a secure grip on the side wall of the container is obtained. The upper end of the face section 40 is provided with an inturned rim section 43 which terminates in a downturned lip 44. The rim section 43 also provides protection to the latch and cover and provides a seat for a superimproved container.

Each of the latching cams c is so arranged that the cam flange I6 thereof may be rotated under the downturned lip 44 with the lower edge of the downturned lip 44 in position to ride over the cafii face I8 of the cam flange. Thus it will be appreciated when the cam flanges it of the several latching cams e have been swung under the downturned lip 44 of the locking flange f, the closure cover 3 is securely locked and latched to the container side wall. The closure cover 3 may be unlatched for removal, upon rotating the latching cams c in the opposite direction to a point where the straight edge I! thereof substantially parallels but does not lie beneath the downturned lip 44 of the latching flange ,f, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 5. It will be further noted that When the latching cams are in looking position as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, at least two of the securing screws 36 which secure each anchor plate a to the closure cover 3, underlie and are concealed by the base section l5 of the latching cam. Thus it will be noted that the anchor plate a and the associated latching cam 0 cannot be removed from the closure cover 3 until the closure cover has been first removed from the container. A wire seal 45 or similar sealing device may be connected to each latching cam and the adjacent rim section 43 of the latching rim I so that the latched position of the latching cams cannot be disturbed without revealing visible evidence of tampering;

This improved closure latchin assembly is particularly adapted and useful for the latching of closure and closure covers associated with structures of various types. By way of illustration only, this closure latching assembly is shown associated with a metal lined plywood container whose bottom wall I and enclosing side walls 2 are formed from a base sheet to of plywood or like material having a metal liner sheet m secured thereto. The bottom wall I is provided with a peripheral flange 4 which is secured, as by rivets 5, to a similar flange 5 extending from the lower edge of the side walls 2. The side edges of the side walls 2 are provided with similar laterally extending flanges l secured together as by rivet 5. The upper edge of each side wall 2 is provided with a similar laterally extending flange 8 which flares outwardly at approximately 45 to the plane of the side wall 2. The side walls 2 may be suitably braced as by a lower bracing frame 9 and an upper bracing frame III. The upper bracing frame It provides a convenient means for securing the face section 453 of the latching rim f thereto as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4. It will be noted by referrin to Figs. 3 and 4 that the inturned lip 42 associated with the face section 463 penetrates into the upper frame Iii, thereby providing a secure grip which further secures the locking rim 1 thereto.

The closure cover 3 is likewise provided with an inner metal liner m of sheet metal secured to a relatively heavy base member w. A gasket r of rubber or like resilient composition is inset into the tapered peripheral edge 50 of the closure cover 3. It will be noted that the gasket 1' seats into a V-shaped notch 5| in the tapered edge 50 of the closure cover 3. By providing such a setting for the gasket, the gasket can be easily shaped and bent around the corners of the closure cover without distorting the gasket. A hole 52 may be made within the gasket, and the outer face 53 of the gasket may be provided with an inclined face so as to snugly seat against the inclined metal surface 54 of the upper side wall flanges 8. It will also be noted that the metal liner sheet m of the cover 3 is provided with an upturned peripheral lip 56 which bites into the gasketiir, providinga substantially leakenmofxseal betweem the'metal liner:m1and:.the-gasketir.; It: Wilhbezfurther appreciated that whemdbwnward; pressuresis exerted on the closure cover: 3;,tiiezinie c'li'ned face ;53 of zthergasketfir is tpressedzintoi'firm sealing: contact with: the inclined metal: surface 511 Off the? side wall flange 8, thereby. providing as substantiallyairtight: seal betweemth'e side walls of; the. container" and the closure cotvent;

Its. willvv now be appreciated that the" improved". closuresllatching assembly comprisesi-latcl'iingzde vice. arranged to: cooperate with a: latchingirimzf to; exert a firm: downwarda pressure: upon'rthe. c'losureiwhen the latching :cams care rotated intov latching: position; Substantially any. amount. of downward :pressure' may be exerted'onthez-closure simply by 'rotatingthe cam'l'atches c tOft'h'ei point 1 Where therising camLflange. lfitexerts the desired. pressing force against the. downturned: lip .44 oitheafixedflatching rim 1.

convenient Wrench s for. manipulating. the camilatches c' is shown in Figs. 191'and 201a This 0am wrench isprovided withaa he'adportionrfifl havi'rrgia hole. 61 therein adapted to'be -telescoped over'rthe head 32 of the studpin b. The. head 60 is'Iprovided withza neck portioni62 "adapteds-to fitx into; the recess 23 of the cam latch; 'I he wrench is manipulatedby "handle portion: 631cm tending? from the neck portion 62-: Whenthe handleiportion (63' of the Wrench .s, applied. to. one of the latchacamsaszshownzin-Eig. 1; isrotated imthet direction of' thelarrow-r, the cam latchx isswung into'unlatching position, and when swungin "the: opposite direction; .thecam latch is rota-ted. into latching position.

Whilew certain novel features of i theinvention have been disclosed herein, and are pointedbut in the'annexedclaims; it will be'understoodgthat variousromissions, substitutions and "changes :may be made by. those skilled in-the art without departing from the-spirit of the'invention.

What is claimed is:

15 An improved'latching assembly for releasably securing, a closure member tor a fixed' closure seating structure including. in: combination a latching rim adapted to be securedto the seat; ing structure adjacent the closure 1 opening;- and a. latching device. associated with: said closure member adapted to cooperate :with: said! latching rim; saidi latching device including;.an anchor plate securedito' the closurezmember a; latchingv oamirotatably secured to: said: closure member-,- said l'atching cam having a semi-circular flange presenting; a cam' surface adapted toubevmoved $1 into: anduoutaoflatcmngeenen mit'hrsaict latching rim when said latching cam isarotateda azzstudi-pir'nrotadzably; seouringtzsazidilatchingscam tbl-SKifiCSfiD-EHOIH plate: anm toolnattachingz means associated twithlsaid latchingf device operative? to facilitate looking amdtunlocking rotaztiomocf saidlatchingzcam; saidmeansscomprising aipivoielieadi iomiingz'az partied. saidtstudaapinrands-aa tool ne ceiirmgz'notchiin h theacazwrfiangei of lsaiwilatching cam;

21 Anrimprovect closure latching? device-Loom: prismgoin'x combinatiom anohoirpiatei adapted to': betsecuredi to: alclosureymembexrtozbeslatchedi atl'atchingicamiliavingaaisemi circulasr outeriedgei and -a relativelytstraiglitfiedgezextendingibetween the-:endss-of said semicircular edgezwaicamzfiange extending: around said'i semi circular: edgezrising fromz a low point at: ones end thiereofi to at high point -ait the :cxthen endfithereof,.arfrietiomwasher disposedibetween said anchow plate amt saidi latching cam, ,atstud 'pirurotata'zbly securing said latctnng cam to said; an'e'liort platen, and; tool I ate taching means assoeiat'ed with'isaidvlatchingide vice operativeto'- facilitateilockingtandiunlocking s rotation of said latch cam, saidimeansmomprising a-"pivotthead formingza part 'of saidastud'l pinaan'd a'--too'l- 'receiving-'notch im the cam'. flange of! said: latching cami- GLENN H. NQRQUISII REFERENGBSS GIEDEDE- EQREIGIRBATENTS?! Country; Date Giteafi'Britain .1 J an. 1211899 Number 

